48MoH: The End of the Roster

[Samr]

Richard Jefferson asserted himself as a full-fledged member of the Spurs last night. He gave Spurs fans a taste of the exotic during last night’s game by receiving a pass in the corner and blowing past his man for an at-the-rim finish. It’s been awhile since San Antonio crowds have witnessed such athleticism from their small forward. The early returns from San Antonio’s offseason makeover show every sign of living up to promise. It’s amazing how much the additions of Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess have opened up the offense.

Things are less settled at the end of the bench, where the Spurs must carefully deliberate their options. They have more talent in camp than at any other point of the Duncan-era. So the challenge before Gregg Popovich is not deciding whether or not Malik Hairston is an NBA player. Hairston is obviously deserving of a spot on someone’s roster. The challenge is weighing his talent against the big backdrop questions of team needs, the salary cap, and projecting the roster forward. With those things in mind, here are my mid-camp thoughts about the end of the bench:

link to the rest

It's a pretty quick read, and a really good take. We're nearing the end of pre-season and it'll be interesting to see what the Spurs ultimately decide to do.


I'm going to side with the authors here -- roll the dice, try to cut loose either Bogans or Haislip (as much as I like the guy, and see what you can do with both Marcus Williams and Hairston. This season is about a lot more than this season for those guys, the Toros, and their fans.

[Shifty]

I feel like the youngsters should be a priority here. The roster is so deep right now that keeping veterans at the end of the bench makes little sense if it means letting go of younger, more talented players with higher ceilings. Unless Bogans has some hidden attractive or Pop knows his shooting will get better, there is no reasons to keep him around. As for the number of players, the same logic applies: We have several players on their last year of their contracts so we need to develop their replacements now that we have them and not start looking for them next year so they can be ready not for another 2 or 3.

[anakha]

For the salary-educated, between Haislip and Bogans, which player will cause less of a cap hit if waived?

[DPG21920]

Haislip has the lower salary I believe, but I am not sure what portion of Bogan's salary would be paid by the league (if any at all.)

[Manufan909]

NBA.com’s highlight package of the Spurs-Clippers game was actually helpful. Marcus Williams makes no less than three solid plays in the package, and we know from the play-by-play that he also hit a critical three pointer in the final minute of play. Williams is starting to showcase his point forward skills and the reason why his knowledge of the system is such a valuable asset. Unfortunately, that portion of the preseason which sees Popovich doling out heavy minutes to hopefuls is dwindling. Setting aside contract guarantees, Williams and Bogans are fighting for the 15th roster spot, with Malik Hairston having firmly secured a spot on the team. But money is money, and there is no guarantee that the Spurs will keep 15 men. It’s still an uphill climb for Williams.

I don't like how he implies that Malik is the guaranteed 14th man. As far as I know, Holt won't let Pop waive Bogans or Haislip so Hairston and Williams can make the team. If they both really show something over these last few games, and Bogans can't up his FG% to at least 30, I'd love to see him cut so two inexpensive noobs can make it. And hopefully Pop lets all the young guys get solid minutes on b2bs. Tim and Manu are going to leave 25 minutes or more unspoken for for a handful of games, and I hope Pop doesn't give the older guys those minutes, but players like Ian, Hairston, and Williams.

And is it me, or is MW making a case for himself? Don't get me wrong, Hairston is obviously the better player in damn near every way, but if Bogans was not in the picture, I think both could make the team, assuming MW plays better over the last few games. For anyone who saw the game, did MW look solid on D at all? Since timvp comments on his slow feet every few days, I'm assuming he would have to be very smart on D to be effective.

P.S. The part about Ian guarding Shaq is ludicrous. Putting Blair or Bonner on him would make more sense, for crying out loud. Not to mention Theo. But if Pop wants to unleash Ian on upper-level bigs like he did Hill on upper-level guards last season, why not?

[CGD]

Haislip has the lower salary I believe, but I am not sure what portion of Bogan's salary would be paid by the league (if any at all.)

Might be a sill luxury tax question:

Hypothetically, if the Spurs waive Bogans or Hailslip tomorrow, is the amount of that guaranteed deal subject to luxury tax treatment (i.e., double payment)?

[all_heart]

I hope Haislip makes the cut, he has potential that needs to be developed. If we can get him going he may be able to guard LO or Dirk.. possibly. I get the feeling Bogans is going be another Ime.

[xtremesteven33]

Hairston and Mahinmi are the obvious choices to make the team...anything else and I will really be dissapointed....

[greyforest]

They have more talent in camp than at any other point of the Duncan-era.

oh no, spurs had a RIDICULOUS bench back in the day.

[DBMethos]

oh no, spurs had a RIDICULOUS bench back in the day.

Seeing that post alongside your avatar made me picture Kurt Thomas saying that.

[Manufan909]

I hope Haislip makes the cut, he has potential that needs to be developed. If we can get him going he may be able to guard LO or Dirk.. possibly. I get the feeling Bogans is going be another Ime.

If he has never been known for D, Idk how you think he could do any better on Dirk than Bonner can. He might be faster and have a longer reach, but Bonner knows the star bigs of the league relatively well after playing them this past season. I just hope Haislip can play the 3, and allow Pop to attack, and not just react for a change.

[HarlemHeat37]

Haislip has looked significantly worse than Bonner defensively so far in preseason, and especially overall..

Obviously I'm a big Hairston fan, and I really hope he makes the team..I'm not getting my hopes up though..he easily makes the roster on the majority of the teams in the NBA IMO..his problem is that he's competing on an elite team that values experience, which is part of the reason they went up and prematurely signed Keith Bogans..there are a number of guys that are already on NBA roster or will make NBA rosters going into the season, and Hairston outplayed a lot of them last NBA season and in this year's Summer League, some of them by a significant margin..

I like the idea of having Ian starting next to Duncan..his game will receive a significant boost by playing with Duncan and Parker..I also like the idea of having him play against a guy like Shaq..there's nobody bigger that you can play against, and it would be a good experience..

[coyotes_geek]

For the salary-educated, between Haislip and Bogans, which player will cause less of a cap hit if waived?

They're the same. Both are on league minimum contracts, so there's no difference to the Spurs in terms of salary that they have to pay or luxury tax. Bogans is getting a little more money due to his years of experience, but that's being paid by the league so the Spurs aren't on the hook for it.

[Bruno]

I've liked what Pop did in 2007 with Udrih/Vaughn. He gave the minutes to the question mark player at the start of the season and when he saw he sucked, he went back with the known quan y.

The Hairston/Bogans situation could (should?) be manged the same way. Give some regular season minutes to Malik and after an extended try, Pop could decided what to do with him(cut him, continue to give him minutes or send him to Austin).

I also think it's important that Pop gives a chance to one of Haislip and Mahinmi. Duncan, McDyess, Bonner, Blair and Ratliff don't have the tools to defend players like Dirk or Odom. Having a quick big in the rotation will be important in some matchups.

[Bruno]

Both are on league minimum contracts, so there's no difference to the Spurs in terms of salary that they have to pay or luxury tax.

To be exact, Haislip cost $30K more in salary and $30K more in tax than Bogans.

[coyotes_geek]

I hope Haislip makes the cut, he has potential that needs to be developed. If we can get him going he may be able to guard LO or Dirk.. possibly. I get the feeling Bogans is going be another Ime.

Haislip is already 28, soon to be 29, so I'm not sure how much more potential there is left in him to develop. Odds are that what you see right now is what you're going to get. Sure, if he makes the cut he should be more productive as he gets more familiar with the system, but at his age we shouldn't be expecting some kind of significant developmental leap.

[jjktkk]

oh no, spurs had a RIDICULOUS bench back in the day.

Exactly when back in the day? I've beena Spurs fan since 76 and I can't remember when the Spurs have had this much talent 1 thru 15.

[coyotes_geek]

To be exact, Haislip cost $30K more in salary and $30K more in tax than Bogans.

Haislip is here on a vet min contract, right? If he is, then both he and Bogans should be exactly the same, i.e. hitting cap & tax at the rate of a 2yr vet min player.

[Bruno]

Haislip is here on a vet min contract, right? If he is, then both he and Bogans should be exactly the same, i.e. hitting cap & tax at the rate of a 2yr vet min player.

Haislip has signed a 2 years min contract.
The league pays a part of the salary and the luxury is reduced for players only on a 1 year or less min contract.

[coyotes_geek]

Haislip has signed a 2 years min contract.
The league pays a part of the salary and the luxury is reduced for players only on a 1 year or less min contract.

Just caught that. Thanks.

[Thompson]

He could be right about Haislip needing to adapt to the system, actually; the training camp notes from multiple days the past week or so mentioned the coaches were really impressed with Haislip.

I don't know whether or not he'll ever nail the system down or not (Elson seemed to have a few problems with it, for example), but hopefully he improves as he works it out.

[Solid D]

I think the Spurs should waive Bogans, Williams, Jerrells and if a PG is released from another team who is quick enough to defend CP3, Brooks, Nash, etc. in case of TP injury...then add him. Haislip is expendable. That is, unless Bonner can be moved.

[HarlemHeat37]

I don't know..logic based on financial aspects says that they won't cut either of them, but having 7 big men is a pretty high amount IMO, especially the way the league is going right now..

I think it's clear that the Spurs were also banking on Haislip playing some 3 IMO..

[Manufan909]

Wonder if Pop will start Haislip at the 3 at all this preseason, just to see if he contributes more. From what I know of him (almost nothing), he is not a paint big. He might like to drive, but setting up around the arc might be more conducive to his game.

[Chomag]

Bogans has experience yes, but thats all he has at least from what he has shown us. Having him take up a roster spot when every other player on the team has outplayed him in camp just sounds completely stupid at this point.

If all we want is experience we should go ahead and hire Magic Johnson, Larry bird, or someone else out of retirement. I heard those guys got a ton of experience.